EXCLUSIVE! Pathfinder Chat with Nissan - Nov. 15th

[AZhitman]

After the success of the 2013 Sentra product Q & A here at NICOclub, Nissan has graciously agreed to have Evan Fulton, Pathfinder Product Planner, pop in and answer YOUR questions about the all-new Pathfinder, right here!

Bookmark this thread, and tune in at 2 pm CST / 1 pm MST on November 15, 2012.



If you have any questions you'd like to see answered, feel free to post them up here. Discussion will occur AFTER the live chat - QUESTIONS ONLY for now. Thanks all!

NOTE: If your question disappears, don't panic - it just means we already have received the same question. Also, keep it respectful, relevant, and quick - We'd like to keep this a regular occurrence with Nissan!

[Alfredo24.pr]

Will they develop a RWD model that can work on regular gas?

[yngw13]

Timing BELT/CHAIN?

Is the CVT exclusive to NISSAN?

[krash]

With its lower output engine, CVT transmission, softer body designing, and unibody structure, it seems like the name has been shifted from its rugged off-road reputation to a more docile soccer-mom kind of vehicle. What was the reasoning/statistics behind this?

[MinisterofDOOM]

Since I heard that the Pathfinder would be going Unibody and FWD, there's been one question in my mind:

I'm genuinely curious as to why Nissan chose to use the Pathfinder name for this model, rather than calling it a Murano. Other brands have done models with 5- and 7-passenger variants of different wheelbases (though admittedly most of these have been ladder-framed, which probably makes the combination easier). And the Murano name has a lot of clout in the crossover world (commonly regarded as one of--if not THE--first crossover to see success in the US). It would make a lot more sense to me to call the car the Murano XL or something along those lines, rather than Pathfinder. Any insight into this decision? Is Nissan looking to retain some "soft-roader" buyers with the Pathfinder name in the way Ford obviously is with the new soft Explorer?

Also, any insight into what this change for the Pathfinder means for the future of the F-Alpha truck platform as a whole? Nissan's obviously not putting it down--the new line of heavy duty vans is making a name for itself, and there's the Titan and Armada to consider. But is this the end of midsize F-Alpha vehicles from Nissan? Or can we still look forward to venerable offroaders like the Xterra wearing Nissan badging?

[Towncivilian]

Not a question, just some information for the previous two replies: the R50 model of the Pathfinder (1996 - 2004) was also unibody; the WD21 (1987 - 1995) and the R51 (2005 - 2012) were body-on-frame. Though I suppose this makes little difference for their questions.

[zach7685]

Are they going to keep the armada?

[zach7685]

Will you offer a sport mode/Tiptronic?

[krash]

Its actually not a bad looking car at all. Like MinisterofDOOM said, if it was a Murano I'd like it a lot more. It just doesn't seem like it has anything to do with the old pathfinder at all. Its like the family Golden Retriever died and you replaced it with a Beagle that has the same name and expected no one to notice.

[ImStricken06]

1. Why is this larger, newer SUV, that seats 2 more passengers, CHEAPER than the murano?

2. Since the sentra takes after the altima's looks, and the altima takes on the maxima's looks, why doesnt the new pathfinder keep within the same scheme of things?

3. Why can the JX only tow 3500lbs while the pathfinder can tow 5000lbs?

4. Since infiniti vehicles have recently been inspired by Japanese brush strokes, the Juke by a motorcycle, what was the inspiration behind this new pathfinder?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Why is this larger, newer SUV, that seat 2 more passengers, CHEAPER than the murano?

I was actually thinking the same thing.
Pathfinder is built in America and the Murano is built in Japan, where the Yen has seen quite the surge lately... but still, I can't see why anyone would buy a Murano when the pathfinder actually looks better, seats more, gets BETTER gas mileage AND is cheaper.

The front-end looks very saab-like. I don't suppose Nissan hired some fleeing designers from Saab did they?

[Towncivilian]

Will the new Pathfinder use 0W-20 engine oil, or is that only for the new models' 4 cylinder engines to help meet CAFE requirements?

If the new Pathfinder does use 0W-20, will older VQ35s be back-specified to use 0W-20 as well, or were there engine changes to accommodate the lighter and thinner oil?

[AZhitman]

A review of the new Pathfinder, by NICOclub's very own Business Manager:

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Review

[nissangirl74]

If you need someone to do an extended test drive, just let me know.

Is there a possibility of offering up more interior colors for 2014? The almond is gorgeous but you can't haul kids in it and the charcoal shows dirt almost as bad. Any chance for a grey or a dark tan / light brown in the future?

Also, the 2013 Maxima and the 2013 Pathfinder both have the same motor, the VQ35DE. On your website, it reads that the Maxima has 290 hp @ 6400 rpm and 261 ft lbs @ 4400. MPG: 19/26. It also reads that the Pathfinder gets 260 hp @ 6400 rpm and 240 ft lbs @ 4400. MPG: 20/26. Both vehicles have the same motor, same transmission, and same curb weight (4,185 lbs according to your website for the base models of both). Why the discrepancy in horsepower and fuel economy?

[Pathfinder3.5]

Do you see this new pathfinder becoming a class leader in the future? I sure miss my R50...

[krash]

the Maxima has 290 hp @ 6400 rpm and 261 ft lbs @ 4400. MPG: 19/26. It also reads that the Pathfinder gets 260 hp @ 6400 rpm and 240 ft lbs @ 4400. MPG: 20/26.

Seems to me like they got their tunes mixed up . That is really strange. You'd expect the "SUV" to have more power and more torque

[WDRacing]

1, Why would I trade in my minivan for one of these?

2, How does it transfer drive to the rear wheels?

3, What type of rear diff does it have?

4, Is the CVT the weak link when it comes to towing?

[AZhitman]

OK, let's rock! Evan from Nissan is online and ready to start answering questions... Welcome aboard, Evan!

[NissanEvanFulton]

OK, let's rock! Evan from Nissan is online and ready to start answering questions... Welcome aboard, Evan!

Thanks Greg, great to be here! Let's get started!

[NissanEvanFulton]

Timing BELT/CHAIN?

Is the CVT exclusive to NISSAN?

Good question! The CVT featured on the all new Pathfinder was developed specifically for the vehicle. It is our second generation XTronic CVT. The Pathfinder exclusively uses a chain with the CVT, which enables the vehicle to attain best-in-class standard towing of 5,000 pounds.

[NissanEvanFulton]

Are they going to keep the armada?

Hi Zach! Yes, the Armada will continue to be offered. Between the all new Pathfinder, XTerra and Armada, Nissan has an SUV offering to suit a wide variety of consumer wants and needs.

[NissanEvanFulton]

Not a question, just some information for the previous two replies: the R50 model of the Pathfinder (1996 - 2004) was also unibody; the WD21 (1987 - 1995) and the R51 (2005 - 2012) were body-on-frame. Though I suppose this makes little difference for their questions.

Great spot! The R50 model was indeed a unibody vehicle.

[AZhitman]

Got an email in from a Facebook fan... all it contained was this picture:



I'm not anticipating an easy question from this person...

[NissanEvanFulton]

Do you see this new pathfinder becoming a class leader in the future? I sure miss my R50...

Great to hear that you have fond memories of your R50. Can’t wait for you to get behind the wheel of the all-new Pathfinder. We feel that the redesign for 2013 is competitive with everything else in its segment, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it does in the marketplace.

[AZhitman]

Another question came in via email:

Do you think the new Pathy will hurt Murano sales the same way the Altima began hurting Maxima sales when they "grew" the Alty?

I get why Nissan redesigned the Pathy to be more car like. But I'm not so sure it's a wise choice given their current lineup and the successful route Toyota took with the same segment. Toyota still offers a truck based 4Runner and FJ, and added the car based-Highlander to appeal to those wanting a similar sized but more car like SUV. Unlike Toyota, Nissan already has successful mid sized car-based entry with the Murano.

Thoughts?

[AZhitman]

Another via email:

Car & Driver posted a thorough (but somewhat snarky) review of the '13 Pathfinder earlier this month (http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/201 ... ive-review)... Their chief concern seems to be similar to others: Great execution, but should have been branded as something else.

Realizing we're all armchair quarterbacking a tough industry, did this get any consideration internally, and if so, what was the decision-making process there?

Thanks!
Edwin in Delaware

[NissanEvanFulton]

Another question came in via email:

Do you think the new Pathy will hurt Murano sales the same way the Altima began hurting Maxima sales when they "grew" the Alty?

I get why Nissan redesigned the Pathy to be more car like. But I'm not so sure it's a wise choice given their current lineup and the successful route Toyota took with the same segment. Toyota still offers a truck based 4Runner and FJ, and added the car based-Highlander to appeal to those wanting a similar sized but more car like SUV. Unlike Toyota, Nissan already has successful mid sized car-based entry with the Murano.

Thoughts?

Great question! The Pathfinder and Murano appeal to completely different customers, and we are not at all concerned about the former cannibalizing sales from the latter.

Regarding your second question, we still have truck-based SUVs in the lineup, such as XTerra and Armada, in order to fulfil the needs of customers looking for a more traditional body-on-frame SUV.

[Eikon]

Thanks so much for spending time with us Evan!

With the hwy mpg's at 26, this is certainly an impressive on-road SUV. I expect you'll steal a lot of sales from the Acadia, Pilot, and some of the other SUVans. I'm curious about how you guys managed 26 mpgs? Do you attribute the gains in large part to the CVT trans? Or does engine tuning and efficiency play a larger role? I know the 300+ lbs of weight savings helps too..

[Nissanaddicted]

Evan, you probably can't answer this at this time, but will Nissan put the cvt transmission in the frontier when they redesign it in the next couple of years. I am enjoying reading all the responses. thanks for doing this.

[AZhitman]

A couple thoughts, as I review some of the specs (sent over by some journalist friends who don't have to go to a dealer to get test-drive opportunities):

0-60: 6.9 Seconds
1/4 Mile: 16.16 @ 91 MPH

That's not entirely unimpressive for what amounts to a large Crossover vehicle.

Also, speaking with someone who does a lot of towing with various commercial vehicles, he said a CVT is actually a better design for towing - He said, "It's nice not having the transmission hunt up and down constantly when encountering varying grades."